4.29 REVEILLE
YOUR VOICE
YOUR SHIP
YOUR NAVY
Admin Department Sailors pose for a group photograph on the main deck aboard Blue Ridge. (U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Josh Huebner)
FAST Change of Command Maj. Thomas E. Elders, left, the outgoing commanding officer of Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Company Pacific, passes the guidon to Maj. Marc Foster, the incoming commanding officer, during a change of command ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Kenneth R. Hendrix\Released)
Editor’s Note In Issue 5 of Blue Ridge, in the ‘Sailors bring ship up to speed’ story, we incorrectly wrote that the line shaft bearing seized and needed to be removed. It was the condensate pump thrust bearing that seized and was repaired. Machinery Repairman 2nd Class John Ray was misquoted as stating he made a new wearing ring. His quote should have stated that he made precision cuts to the wearing ring.
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Produced by Media Services division, Ext. 4155 View this issue online www.issuu.com/ussblueridge Cover: SECNAV Ray Mabus speaks to CFAY Sailors and Marines in front of the Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge. All news releases, photos or information for publication in Blue Ridge must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.
Commanding Officer: Capt. Rudy Lupton Executive Officer: Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ralston Command Master Chief: CMDCM(SW/SS) David Unnone Public Affairs Officer: Lt. j.g. Clinton Beaird Leading CPO: MCC(SW/AW)Allen Onstott Art Editor: MC1(SW) Josh Huebner Editor: MC3 Fidel C. Hart Copy Editor: MC1(SW) Todd Macdonald Design Director: MC3 Fidel C. Hart Cover Photo: MC1(SW) Todd Macdonald
Media Services Staff MC1(SW/AW) Jerome Foltz MC1(SW) Josh Huebner MC2(SW) Brian Dietrick MC2(AW) Steven Khor MC3 Colin Sheridan MC3 Alexandra Arroyo MC3 Melvin Orr MC3 Brian A. Stone MC3 Cale Hatch MCSN James Norman
Rate in the Spotlight: Religious Programs Specialist
Building relationships one hand at a time Photo by MC1 Josh Huebner
Photo by MC3 Fidel C. Hart
Photo by MC3 Fidel C. Hart
Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandra Arroyo
P
hotos of Blue Ridge Sailors that hang throughout the ship tell many stories. Many show scenes of our Sailors spreading good will and building relationships in foreign lands. Command Chaplain and Community Service coordinator Lt. Scott Shafer says building a community relations infrastructure is a major part of the Blue Ridge’s mission. A mission that affords Sailors the opportunity to make an impact on the world. “One unique thing people are able to do here are community service projects (COMSERV) because we are constantly going into a port,” said Shafer. “We like to do one at least every day we’re in port and we like to go out and help the community.” Aboard Blue Ridge, Schafer has a lot of help when it comes to community events. He is assisted by the religious programs staff and liaisons in foreign countries. The religious programs specialist staff helps put the ball in motion by ensuring when the ship hits port, the details are taken care of. “If we didn’t do our job building up to the COMSERV’s, everyone on this ship would know it,” said Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class James Phillips. “This job is very unique in what our mission
actually is.” Phillips added, “Most people never even realize that we typically work when everybody else is off. We do all kinds of stuff that is really beyond the typical scope of military coordination and planning.” That planning revolves around helping communities renovate buildings, construct parks, and spend quality time with underprivileged children. Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Anthony Pitre, said participating in COMSERV’s has helped him understand other peoples experience and circumstances in the world. “At a COMSERV in Korea, one of the older kids who grew up and left the orphanage returned to volunteer,” he said. “He told me about some of the kids that were found on the side of the street with no parents. It’s amazing how strong some of the kids are in places like that.” While the stories told to volunteers have helped open their views, Shafer makes points out the real essence is to show that Sailors care. “In one way or another, those kids at the orphanage or somewhere else will know that somebody from America cared enough for them and they went by to see them,” said Shafer. “It’s not something that pays off immediately. You plant the seeds for things that will happen much later.”
Photo by MC2 Daniel Viramontes
Photo by MC2 Steven Khor
People are his speciality Personnel Specialist uses experience to aid dependant families during emergency Story by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Todd Macdonald Technology is allowing the Navy to phase out many rates and make them automated. The job of Navy Personnel Specialist is one the Navy has civilianized and automated, reducing the number of military members in that job. Immediately following the natural disasters in Japan March 11, Chief Personnel Specialist Rob Smith showed the important role the human factor and experience plays in his job. This was not the first time Smith had been through a tragedy similar to the one in Japan. He was stationed at the Personnel Support Detachment in Charleston, SC from 20072010 when floods ravaged the South. “Because of that experience, I knew the importance of having evacuation packages completed correctly,” Smith said. “We did 100 sets of orders within 24 hours after the evacuation approval was given here and not a single
Photo by MCSN James Norman
one got returned because it wasn’t filled out right.” Electronics Technician 1st Class Scott Cassin said that Smith called everyone whose family was going to take place in the evacuation and went over everything they were supposed to do. “It streamlined the whole process,” he said. “It saved Chief Smith time by only having to go over the process once and we didn’t have to keep redoing our packages because
something was wrong with them.” Smith said he knew there was no way he could do everything on his own, so he trained several Yeoman in his office how to process orders. Within a day, they were cutting orders for 126 dependents. Smith said the ship received word of the voluntary evacuations on March 19th and he had all orders completed and to PSD Yokosuka by March 21st and the first departure was March 22nd.
“We were the first ship to send people home and within three days everybody who volunteered to leave was off the island,” he said. Thirty days after the evacuation the military reassessed the situation and made a determination whether the families would stay in America or come back to Japan. “I had a hunch they would announce the return of the dependents on April 15th, Smith said. “So I already started getting packages to our Sailors on April 13th and 14th.” On April 15 the military lifted the evacuation making it possible for dependents to return. Two days later, Smith began turning in completed packages to PSD and the first ticket was issued April 19th. Smith said he feels fortunate enough to have a job where he is able to see tangible results whether it’s a Sailor’s career or something involving their family. According to Smith, it’s the only rate that handles all aspects of the enlisted members entitlements and benefits. “When a person comes up to me and says thank you for something I did, that is all I need,” he said. “It’s the reason why I became a PS.”
Ombudsman helps families during disaster Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron M. Pineda
Blue Ridge Command Ombudsman Polly Shafer has taken the fast track to learning her job. Five and a half weeks after completing the command Ombudsman course, she was called upon to help Blue Ridge Sailors and their dependants evacuate Japan after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. When it was discovered the Fukushima nuclear reactor plant suffered severe infrastructure damage from the tsunami’s wake and may suffer a meltdown, Blue Ridge leadership planned and coordinated response actions to ensure the safety of Sailors and their families. That’s when word of a voluntary evacuation surfaced. Once the voluntary evacuation order was confirmed, Shafer stepped into position to help.
Shafer, wife of Blue Ridge chaplain Lt. Scott Shafer, said though she was away, Blue Ridge families were kept informed the day the disaster happened. “I was actually in Singapore to meet the ship,” said Shafer. “At first I felt a bit helpless but I had a lap top and wireless internet at the hotel so I was able to help
many people.” She said her main thought was getting back to her teenage daughter and answering as many questions as possible via internet. Shafer describes when she heard of the evacuation order. On Saturday, March 19, Shafer had finished with a meeting of the spouses
with Capt. Lupton, via phone. At that point she was told an evacuation was possible. “We all had confidence that things were going to get better. Maybe two hours after that, we were told it was happening,” she said. Though Navy officials were frequently updating families with the latest information, ensuring it reached families was a top priority, Shafer said. “My biggest challenge was to make sure everyone got good information and to calm fears.” Looking to the future, Shafer said there are plenty of opportunities for families to get involved in Ombudsman activities. “The best way to volunteer is to join the Family Readiness Group. By being involved, a family member can make friends and have the support of the other spouses. They can get official information from the ombudsman, who attends these meetings. An ombudsman is more likely to ask for volunteers at these meetings so if you want to help out, go to FRG,” said Shafer.
Qualified as Enlisted Surface Warface Specialists
From left to right: Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class (SW) Christopher Dunn; and Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class (SW) Lorenzo Jordan.
Farewell: Lt. Hanson
Lt. Jeffery Hanson awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding meritorious service while serving as Damage Control Assistant and Main Propulsion Assistant aboard USS Blue Ridge from November 2008 to April 2011.
MEDALS, CITATIONS & PROMOTIONS Congratulations to the Sailors below in being recognized for their achievements. Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/FMF) Connie Lawson
awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service while serving aboard USS Blue Ridge from May 2009 to May 2011. Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Josh Huebner
awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service while serving aboard USS Blue Ridge from July 2009 to May 2011. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Brian Dietrick commended for exemplary
performance of duties during Pacific Partnership 2010. His efforts were “vital to supporting diplomacy, mission readiness and commitment to excellence.”
Lt. j.g. Terence Gilbert promoted
to the rank of lieutenant junior grade, April 18.
CTF 76 Sailor of the Quarter: YN3(SW) Laws
Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Colin Taylor
Which Sailors in your division have earned a BZ?
Send us an email! Joshua.Huebner@lcc19.navy.mil or BLRPAO@lcc19.navy.mil
appointed to the rate of Petty Officer 3rd Class April 16.
Ship Notes
SECNAV: Operation Tomodachi strengthened U.S.-Japan alliance
Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Fidel C. Hart Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus thanked more than a thousand 7th Fleet Sailors and Marines who participated in disaster relief operations off the coast of Japan. Crewmembers from the 7th Fleet ships USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), Stethem (DDG 63), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) gathered in front of the 7th Fleet command ship to hear Mabus Photo by MC2 Steven Khor express his gratitude for their efforts in Operation Tomodachi in the wake your normal day-to-day jobs without any of the earthquake and tsunami that hesitation and doing it so well, no other country struck Japan March 11. can do that and no other service can do that like “To be as flexible as you were to the people here,” Mabus said. go from one mission to suddenly turn Within hours of the earthquake and resulting and do humanitarian assistance and tsunami that impacted Japan on March 11, disaster relief without costs, without most of the U.S. 7th Fleet was on the move, changing any equipment, any people, positioning ships and aircraft to assist Japan’s changing any training and going from Self Defense Forces in the operation.
The U.S. Navy brought 22 ships, 132 aircraft and more than 15,000 personnel to bear one of the most complex disaster relief operations ever conducted: Operation Tomodachi, or “friends.” “There is no other force in the world other than the United States Navy and Marine Corps that could have done what you all did,” Mabus said. Mabus said that Operation Tomodachi demonstrated the U.S. commitment to its alliance with Japan. “The partnership between America and Japan was made stronger because of what you did,” Mabus said. Following the all hands call, Mabus took questions from the collection of Sailors and Marines and took the time to personally meet with many of them USS Shiloh Fire Controlman 2nd Class Michael Dukes, a native of Mabus’ home state of Mississippi, met the SECNAV and shook his hand, saying, “It’s nice to see someone from Mississippi in such a successful position. It’s inspiring for me to meet him.”
Leverage the Bad Guys
Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Dietrick Everyone has a goal. Master-at-Arms 1st Class Terrance Winston’s goal was to find a way to create a better product for law enforcement and security professionals. After reflecting on his experience as a Norwich City Police Officer in Connecticut, Winston came up with an idea. The idea developed into a new style of baton to give law enforcement officials the advantage of ‘leverage’ when handling suspects. “I wanted to invent something that was useful.” Winston said. “I noticed most officers were using their batons primarily for striking and were often confused which end to use to control a suspect.” Winston sought out professionals in various fields to help create his product. Winston started by visiting top police trainers and an orthopedic surgeon to design a product that allows greater control than a traditional baton, and is
less likely to cause serious injury. After four years of research the Trex Control Baton was born. Winston explains his baton’s unique advantage. “I developed the Trex Control Baton to be more user-friendly which gives the officer better control. The baton’s ability to contour the body provides greater leverage opportunities in controlling a subject. Instead of using a baton to beat suspects into submission, you can control them.” The Trex Control Baton is constructed of polycarbonate plastic and is a single unit with four sections (body, handle, short curved end, and long curved end) and is 24 inches long. The baton’s unique curved shape allows the officer to immobilize a subject by using leverage and basic pain compliance control techniques. “It’s ergonomically designed and much more humane. It’s not just a pole you beat people with, it gives you control options.” Winston said. “It’s easy to use, effective and safe.”